The sixth annual Rougarou Fest will take place in downtown Houma this weekend, where the family-friendly festival with a spooky flare celebrates the rich folklore along Southeast Louisiana’s bayous.
A primary fundraiser supporting the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center, Rougarou Fest includes a music stage with The NOLA Treblemakers, Back Roots, Bang Bang, Nonc Nu & Da Wild Matous, Chaos of the Cosmos and Payton Smith – and that’s just on Saturday! On Sunday, attendees will be treated to Sista Slick & the Brothas, Cajun Music Preservation Society and Beau Bayou and the Sabine Connection.
Running October 21 to 22, this year’s festival also includes child-friendly activities like a bean bag toss, face painting, mask making and more. Also on tap are wetlands awareness organizations, vendors selling hand-made items, and carnival rides. The food court will offer traditional Cajun selections, including gumbo, jambalaya, fish court bouillon, fried catfish with hush puppies, fried pork skins, fried oysters, fried alligator, blackberry dumplings, beignets and pop rouge ice cream, as well as hamburgers, hotdogs, nachos, fries and assorted sweets.
The festival begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday with the blessing of the grounds followed by children’s activities in the court square. A costume contest will be held Saturday at 5 p.m. on the courthouse steps. Registration for the costume contest is free and will be open from 2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Pets are welcome to participate but must be kept on a leash at all times. Each category is limited to 100 contestants on a first-come-first-served basis. Contestants are only allowed to enter one category. Categories include Pets, Most Creative, Funniest, Scariest, Movie Characters, Kids’ Costumes ages 5 and Under, Kids’ Costumes ages 6 to 12 and Best Overall. Winners receive a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place trophy.
The Krewe Ga Rou Halloween Parade will roll Saturday at 7 p.m., starting in the Town Hall parking lot located on the corner of Barrow Street and Tunnel Boulevard. The parade will roll up Barrow Street, turn left onto Main Street and then travel down to Grinage Street where it will disband. Members of the Cajun Navy will be this year’s parade grand marshal.
For more information, including street closures and a map, please visit Rougarou Fest’s official website.
